KEΦI GREEK KITCHEN — Restaurant in Williamsburg

Kefi in Williamsburg has Greek-inspired decor and their menu offers a nice range of authentic Greek dishes. We were a party of four and ordered a range of dishes: fried cod, pastichio (somewhat similar to lasagna if you’ve never had it), chicken souvlaki (similar to a kebab), and a lamb and beef gyro. For dessert, we ordered baklava cheesecake, Greek orange cake, and fruit-filled butter cookies called Petourakia.

Most dishes delivered great flavors and quality, especially their pastichio and their desserts, which felt authentically prepared and delicious. However, their beef and lamb gyro was a complete disappointment and I would not recommend it if you are seeking the typical gyro flavor found in other Greek or Mediterranean restaurants. Unlike traditional Greek gyros, which usually offer bold spices, their lamb and beef combo lacked seasoning and was overwhelmed with too much lettuce. I was also surprised it had only two paper thin tomato slices and only two thin onion slices which is the complete opposite of what you would normally find in most Greek restaurants. As someone who has visited almost every Greek restaurant in the region and has even traveled to Greece, this was the first time I found a gyro I simply couldn’t stand. In fact, the beef and lamb gyro meat sold at Trader Joe’s or Wal-Mart tastes far better than the version offered here which tells you how bland it was.

For newcomers to Greek cuisine, the gyro is a common staple, so its lack of authentic flavor here is especially unfortunate. To improve authenticity, Kefi should strongly consider replacing the current beef and lamb gyro (which is more common in Middle Eastern cuisine) with a pork version, which is far more common and beloved in traditional Greek cuisine. Offering pork gyro would not only honor the dish’s roots, but also enhance the experience for guests seeking genuine Greek flavors.

Service was good overall, though we found it odd that most menu headings were in Greek without translation, making it harder to understand. Even our waitress could not interpret some of the headings. Their Greek salad oddly lacked any seasoning, and their fries, which were described as fresh cut in the menu, were definitely not fresh-cut and resembled the pre-seasoned frozen fries used in many Mexican restaurants.

The restaurant also offers its own branded Greek olive oil for sale, but most displayed bottles lacked any pricing info. They also do very little to promote their olive oil through the menu or as part of a complimentary appetizer. This felt like a missed opportunity compared to places like Carrabba’s, which highlight their olive oil by offering it as part of the dining experience.

With several improvements, especially to their gyro and fries, as well as better attention to seasoning, their kitchen has the potential to deliver a more authentic and consistently enjoyable Greek...

Opa! A Journey to Greece Without the Jet Lag! 🇬🇷✨ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (A Masterclass in Hospitality)

My partner Andrea and I thought we were just going out for dinner; little did we know we were embarking on an unforgettable culinary journey to Greece—and back! Kephi Greek Kitchen is not just a restaurant; it’s a masterclass in professional hospitality and a true beacon for how family-run establishments should operate.

We all dread the occasional "tourist trap" when traveling, but Kephi is the genuine article—a beloved staple of the Williamsburg community, founded by patriarch Nick Sarantakos back in 2017 after the family’s phenomenal 40-year run at the nearby Seafare restaurant. This legacy shines through in every single interaction.

Our evening was elevated to an art form by Bess, the lovely assistant manager and matriarch of the operation. If I had one piece of "constructive criticism," it's this: the only downside of dining here is eventually having to leave! Bess made us feel instantly like part of the family, sharing the history behind the dishes, the sourcing of the ingredients, and even personally guiding us through the menu selections. Her professional insight transformed our meal into an educational and inspiring experience. We took Bess’s advice and ordered an absolute feast (a subtotal of $202.85 well spent!):

• Appetizers Galore: The Kephi Cold Pikilia (with Fava subbed for Taramasalata), Grilled Haloumi, Crispy Kalamari, and Feta & Olives all hit a perfect 10/10 mark.

• The Main Event: Beef Shish-ke-bob and Arnisa Paidakia (Lamb Chops) were cooked to medium perfection, tender and flavorful.

• A Sweet Finish: The dessert symphony—Portokalopita, Galaktoboureko, Ekmek, and a Chocolate Mousse cake—was a glorious curtain call.

The verdict across the board? 10/10, 10/10, 10/10! From the plating and tablescaping to the flawless service and unbeatable quality-for-price ratio, Kephi sets an incredibly high bar.

This is more than just great food; it’s a testament to dedication and passion spanning generations of restaurant ownership. Thank you, Bess and the Sarantakos family, for the exceptional hospitality and for reminding us what genuine, heartwarming service truly feels like! Opa! We...

Kephi Greek Kitchen: The Only Kitchen Where I'll Happily Eat the Family Meal!

Listen up, industry folks: if you want to see how a truly seamless front of house and back of house operation runs, book a table at Kephi Greek Kitchen. The Sarantakos family is running a clinic on hospitality, proving that a decades-long legacy is the secret sauce to a perfect cover. You all know my partner in crime Conrad already left his review. So here’s mine. Let’s begin shall we?

We rolled in, expecting a standard shift, but the atmosphere immediately set the tone—warm, inviting, and humming with that good energy (the real "Kephi," if you will). The service was so spot on, I checked twice to make sure our server wasn't secretly wearing roller skates! Attentive without being intrusive, he was a total pro.

We went big on the apps, starting with the Aretousa, followed by a robust Kephi Cold Pikilia (the fava sub was a pro move). The Grilled Haloumi, Pan Fried Crispy Kalamari, and Feta & Olives hit the table in perfect sequence—no fires held, just smooth pickupsall around. We even added the Kephi Tria for good measure. Every bite was an 86 (industry lingo for 'all gone' and 'perfection').

For the main entrees, we hit the jackpot. The Beef Shish-ke-bob and Arnisa Paidakia (Lamb Chops)were cooked to a flawless medium temp—no send-backs here! Tender enough to cut with a fork. We also dove into the Greek Street Souvlaki, proving they can nail both refined dining and classic comfort food.

Dessert was the final push we needed to declare this place a winner. We tried a symphony of Greek Pastries: the Portokalopita, Galaktoboureko, Ekmek, and a rich Chocolate Mousse Cake. Made in-house, these weren't just an afterthought; they were the glorious curtain call to a phenomenal dining experience.

Kephi Greek Kitchen has found the perfect recipe: authentic flavors, flawless service, and a palpable family pride that makes you want to become a regular. We dropped $227.19 after tax, which is an excellent quality-for-price ratio for a meal this stellar. We didn't just have a meal; we had an experience. We'll be back on the...